Interview
Newbury winning its race for ever more event fruits
PAUL COLSTON FINDS THE EVENTS GOING IS GOOD WITH SHAUN HINDS, CEO OF THE UK’ S NEWBURY RACECOURSE
You’ ve been at Newbury as CEO for two years now. What were the initial impressions of the Berkshire venue compared with your previous role managing Manchester Central? One aspect that really struck me was the setting. There is wonderful parkland and rich wildlife, providing an inspiring backdrop for any kind of meeting or event.
We have a resident sport, representing 31 days a years where we are home to the very best in UK horse racing and so, with that calendar fixed each year, we work to best present the conference and event potential of the facility.
What changes have you made on the events side since taking the reins? The conference and events team here had made great progress after the 2020 pandemic but still sometimes felt like the younger sibling to the more established horse racing business. I’ ve tried to ensure the events business is given the same level of support and capability. In turn, that has unlocked a raft of new enquiries which has enabled us to post two record years in terms of delegates and events.
You were brought up for a time in Newmarket so, presumably, had some racing DNA already? Yes, I spent the first 20 years of my life there. Growing up in a town like that you are immersed in racing culture. I remember as a kid watching racing from Newbury on TV’ s World of Sport, but never imagined my career path to lead me to running that facility.
Racecourses are generating ever new revenue streams. What is the current development plan and strategy for MICE? Many racecourses have looked to diversify their revenues and utilise their capability for events. With facilities
Above: Shaun Hinds
Left: Newbury Racecourse
designed for hosting thousands of people, the core infrastructure is already there. Plus, many are well connected; here at Newbury we have an onsite railway station and great road connections by virtue of being located between the M4 and M3 and just an hour outside London. We continue to enhance our facilities and we do so with conference and event utilisation in the forefront of our minds.
We have the Grandstand over three floors with column free spaces and incredible views of the estate. In addition, we have unique spaces like the Owners Club( a self contained space ideal for events up to 240 people). Then there are a host of unique spaces such as the Royal Box which can be an exclusive dining room or convert to a prestigious boardroom.
Newbury also seems to fit the bill as an exhibition venue nicely, due to the logistical demands, traffic access and space requirements, How is that particular sub-sector of the events industry business developing? You are right to identify that, getting here and the process of build and break are very easy at Newbury. We are unincumbered with traffic issues around the site and have plenty of space for vehicles to unload literally next to the event space.
On top of that, we have extensive free parking on site as well as a hotel for event crew members and delegates. We have made great progress with consumer exhibitions in recent years, and I think that’ s because organisers know just how easy it is for visitors and delegates to get and stay here.
Events such as wedding receptions, conferences, training, dinner, awards … Where do you see the USP at Newbury for those? We host all those types of events. The combination of setting, facilities, access and local services make it a compelling proposition. Of course, the real difference is made by the team.
24 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 144